Planning a Website

Want to create a website for yourself or your business? There are lots of options these days! We discuss how to create a traditional website, as well as some free alternatives. Learn about domain names, hosting services, design templates, and more.

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Transcript of Planning a Website

Planning a WebsiteHow to Build a WebsiteThe DecisionDeciding the ContentWhere to go from here?Expand your knowledge with...Layout & DesignOrganized Up-to-dateKeep it SimpleThree Click RuleSee important info in one clickWorks for web and mobile devices

Know where to go for more informationTech TeamCharleston County Public Library68 Calhoun StreetCharleston, SC 29401(843) 805-6885 techteam@ccpl.orgPresented by:Web HostsPriceEmailAmount of SpaceCustomer supportBandwidth (Total Traffic)Domain includedA few options:arvixe.comgodaddy.comhostgator.comChoosing a DomainPurchased through a domain registrar, like GoDaddy or NameCheapCan also be purchased through the web hostApproximate cost: $10 per yearMust be a name that is not already takenBrainstorm names and extensions:.com .net .org .info .us .bizRegister early to secure a particular nameConnect the domain to the hostRenew each year!

From the web host's Control PanelUsing FTPPros and ConsLots of detailsProvides control over the detailsWide selection of tools and service providersNot the easiest or fastest wayVirtually any website is possible with enough time and skillFiles on your computerFiles on web serverLogin info provided by web hostFile Transfer Protocol: A quick, direct method of uploading and downloading files from a web server, usually through FTP softwareFree FTP Software:Filezilla (Windows and Mac)FireFTP (Firefox extension)Blog FeaturesBlog ProvidersDesigned to publish sequential articles or picturesCan be used creatively for other purposesFree to set upHosting in an "all in one" packageApply ready-made templates and themes for a polished designIncludes a free, longer URL: myblog.blogspot.comDomain names can be purchased: www.myblog.com

http://charlestonarchive.orgBloggerWordpressStandard blog formatEasy to learnUsed with a Google accountMore flexibleSlightly steeper learning curveAlso used as a CMS to make full websitesWhy Blog?If your web site involves chronological posts or newsQuick and easy to set upFree hostingReady-made, polished templatesWhy not?No chronological posts neededMore flexibility and control neededIf you need a complex website, e.g., one with many sub-pages and sub-menusA quick way to make a general-purpose website using visual tools instead of HTML code. Site Builder FeaturesSimilar to blogs, but designed for traditional websitesCreate pages with visual tools instead of codeApply ready-made templates for a polished designLess flexibility than a traditional website"All in one" package with web hosting includedFree and paid services are availableWhat you get varies greatly between service providersSite Builder Serviceshttp://www.weebly.comhttp://sites.google.comhttp://www.squarespace.com(free and paid plans)(free, uses Google account)(paid plan only)Offers advantages of site builders and traditional websites by separating content from structure and design. CMS RequirementsExamplesA compatible web hostInstallation of CMS softwareSome hosts offer easy "one click" installation, configuration, and supportOther hosts may require manual configurationRequirements vary depending on the CMSPHP support and MySQL database are often requiredCMS FeaturesContent is edited visually, like a blog or site builderStructure and design can be fully customized with HTML, CSS, and other code languagesSite can also be customized with pre-made templates and other add-onsPopular open source CMSs are supported by a community of developers and usersWell suited for organizations with a technical user to set it up, and anyone else can update contentJoomla!WordpressDrupalSimilar to the blog at Wordpress.com but with more freedom to customize. Requires a web host. Fast and simple. Available at wordpress.orgMedium difficulty, available at Joomla.orgThree popular, free, and open source content management systems. All three required PHP and MySQL by the web host.Steeper learning curve, with wide range of functions for larger websites. Available at Drupal.orgPerfect for sequential posts of information like news, articles, or photographs. With some effort, blogs can also be used as general purpose websites.BooksWebsitesClasses and TutorialsSoftware, Blogging, and Content Management Systems:Creating Web Pages All-In-One for Dummies by Richard Wagner – 006.76 WAGNER Creating a Web Site: The Missing Manual by Matthew MacDonald – 006.7 MACDONALWeb Design : a Beginner's Guide by Wendy Willard – 006.7 WILLARDThe Complete Idiot's Guide to HTML5 and CSS3 by Joe Kraynak – 006.7 KRAYNAKHTML5 : the Missing Manual by Matthew MacDonald – 006.74 MACDONALSams Teach Yourself HTML and CSS in 24 Hours by Julie C. Meloni – 005.72 MELONIDreamweaver CS5: The Missing Manual by David McFarland - 005.72 MCFARLANHead First WordPress by Jeff Siarto – 006.7 SIARTO Blogging for Dummies by Susannah Gardner and Shane Birley – 006.7 GARDNERWordpress Web Design for Dummies by Lisa Sabin-Wilson – 005.72 SABIN-WIPicture Yourself Building a Website with Joomla! 1.6 by Robin D. Turner – 006.78 TURNERBeginning Drupal 7 by Todd Tomlinson – 006.76 TOMLINSOGeneral Guides and HTML:webdesign.about.com – Articles, guides, and resources on general topicswww.w3schools.com – Tutorials and references for HTML, CSS, and morewww.htmldog.com – Tutorials and references on HTML and CSSthimble.webmaker.org – Type out HTML code and instantly see the result

www.codeacademy.com – Interactive lessons on HTML, CSS, and advanced codingExplore the fundamentals of hypertext markup language (HTML), the coding used to design web pages. Practice entering source code for a web page that includes hyperlinks, a table, and a photograph. Completion of Internet Basics (or previous experience) is expected.Web Page Design (Charleston County Public Library, Technology Learning Center)www.gcflearnfree.org/blogbasics - Tutorials on bloggingExample : <title> Charleston County Public Library </title> General Guides:Software and blogs:Content Management Systems:Example:http://www.charlestonlibraryfriends.orgExample:http://mtplibrary.blogspot.com/By Florian Hirzinger - www.fh-ap.com (Own work (Florian Hirzinger)) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia CommonsBy Florian Hirzinger – www.fh-ap.com (Own work (Florian Hirzinger)) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia CommonsDownload: Moving a file from the Internet "down" to your computerUpload: Moving a file from your computer "up" to the InternetQuick and easy method for just a few files. More time consuming if you are uploading many files or uploading frequently.TitleNavigationInformationContentPros vs. ConsFlexibleAdvancedCostAdvancedMaintenanceAdobeDreamweaverCoffeeCupHTML EditorCreative Commons is a nonprofit organization that enables the sharing and use of creativity and knowledge through free legal tools. These licenses are not an alternative to copyright. They work alongside copyright and enable you to modify your copyright terms to best suit your needs.To search for safe images use:Creative Commonshttps://search.creativecommons.org/Google SearchFilter your results